Student Spotlight: Fedel Jones, College of Education
By April, Fedel Jones had already mapped out his year — front and back of a double-sided sheet of paper.
Before he ever became the University of Memphis’ Homecoming King, before waving from the 50-yard line at the Liberty Bowl, Jones had outlined the impact he wanted to make: more underclassmen involvement, broader campus engagement and a deeper connection between the University and its local high schools.
On game day, with thousands watching from the stands, Jones stood at midfield — the same place he had envisioned months earlier on paper.
“I had everything I wanted to do,” Jones said. “The impact I wanted to have with students.”
Jones’ campaign wasn’t built on visibility alone. As an elementary education major balancing student teaching and more than 30 hours of work each week, he approached the title the way he approaches everything — with preparation. For Jones, winning wasn’t a popularity contest but a commitment to changing campus culture.
His victory also extended a legacy.
Jones became the fifth consecutive member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.’s Kappa Beta chapter to be named Mr. University of Memphis, a streak that has come to define the organization’s presence on campus.
“It was between me and my line brother,” Jones said of the friendly competition for the fraternity endorsement. “We both do a lot of great things.”
As a third-generation legacy in the chapter, Jones said the fraternity shaped both his resume and standards as a rising professional.
“I joined because I saw leadership, confidence and professionalism,” Jones said. “They were presidents of organizations. They wore suits. They gave out roses on campus.”
“My line builds me up every single day,” he said. “They’ll say, ‘Fix your tie.’ That’s how brothers are supposed to be.”
For Jones, the streak carried weight as much as pride. Five straight winners meant anything less than a victory would stand out.
His father, Fedel Jones Sr., crossed into the same chapter in 1998 and later became a school principal. But Jones didn’t grow up trying to replicate that path.
“I wanted my child to find his own lane,” Jones Sr. said.
The parallels, however, are hard to ignore.
Jones followed a similar blueprint that included involvement in student leadership, commitment to service and a focus on education. Still, he insists his path was built on his own terms.
“I didn’t want to copy him,” Jones said. “I kind of created my own experience.”
Preparation defines how Jones leads, and perspective defines why. His experience has been shaped as much by Memphis as by campus life.
Jones, a Memphis-area native who attended Arlington High School, said staying in the city for college gave him a broader understanding of people from different backgrounds.
“Memphis is going to have everything — low class, middle class, high class,” Jones said.
That range has influenced how he approaches both leadership and his future career in education.
“You’re going to learn how to talk to people from different backgrounds,” he said. “You’re going to meet them where they are.”
As an elementary education major, Jones’ goal extends beyond the classroom.
“No matter what you do, you should be able to make someone’s life better every day,” he said.
That mindset was shaped early. His father said Jones was always self-motivated — the kind of student who didn’t need to be pushed.
“He was the kid I didn’t have to check homework for,” said Jones Sr. “He’s self-motivated.”
Fedel Sr. said that drive showed early and often, in and out of the classroom.
“One time he had a basketball game where he scored like 30 points,” he said. “I was like, ‘Yeah, this kid — he’s good at everything.’”
That internal drive has carried over into his work across campus, from student teaching to leadership roles to his efforts to reach students beyond the University.
One of Jones’ initiatives has been visiting local schools to encourage younger students to pursue college and apply for scholarships.
“I want to be able to be a role model,” Jones said. “You have to have something attainable that they can see is attainable.”
Even with the visibility that comes with his title, Jones describes himself simply. And humbly.
“I wouldn’t say I’m special,” he said. “I’m just extroverted and I like to be nice.”
His father sees it differently.
“He’s a natural,” Jones Sr. said.
